CILICIA. Isaura. Caracalla (198-217). Ae.

Obv: AV K M AV ANTΩNINOC.
Laureate and cuirassed bust right; breastplate decorated with gorgoneion.
Rev: MHTPOΠOΛЄΩC ICA / VPΩN.
Lycaon(?) standing right, holding sceptre and clasping hands with Apollo standing left, holding laurel branch; between them, wolf seated right, head left, carrying human hand in its mouth.

RPC V.3 online (unassigned; ID 74818); SNG BN 494-5; SNG von Aulock 5410; BMC 3.

According to myth, Pelasgus, one of the first men, had a son, Lycaon, who carried out the civilization of Arcadia. Lycaon was considered a good and wise king, devoted to Zeus, but he provoked the god's wrath when he sacrificed a human child to him. He was punished by Zeus, who transformed him into a wolf. According to another legend, in Arcadia, the priests of Apollo Lyceus sacrificed human victims to the god, which caused them to transform into wolves. These stories influenced medieval narratives, leading to the rise of the belief in lycanthropy.

Condition: Extremely fine.

Weight: 7.50 g.
Diameter: 26 mm.